5 ways to beat the winter blues

During the winter months many people find themselves lacking energy.  They find it hard to focus.  They find it hard to get out of bed in the morning. They feel like a dark cloud is always over their head.  This is usually called the "Winter Blues."

I never fully realized how much the dark winter months affected me until the Fall of 2009.  It was then that I began to recognize how I struggled more in the winter months with depression.  I began to to recognize how I struggled more with low energy and focus. Up to this point, I knew I felt lousy but I didn't understand why.

Then in the Fall of 2010 I was diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (a more severe case of the "Winter Blues") and I started to understand some of what was going on in my body during the winter months.  I began to learn what I could to do beat the "Winter Blues." 

Here are 5 ways to beat the winter blues:

1. Keep active:

This one is the hardest for me to do because my energy levels are low and my motivation is lacking.  I have found though, if I can fight through these feelings and go for a walk that I feel much better.  I have to remind myself of this regularly.

2. Use light therapy:

In November of 2010 I purchased a full spectrum desk lamp for my office at work.  Basically what it does is simulate sunshine (for more information click here).  Using the light box brought immediate results for me.

3. Plan a break in the late Fall or early Winter:

In the past I would try to hold off from taking a break until the Spring.  Unfortunately, it was too late by then to be of any help.  Now, my plan is to take a break in the late Fall or early Winter.  In 2010 I did this at the end of November and I found it immensely helpful.  It helped rejuvenate me for the Christmas season.

4. Go to a sunny place:

This is not always an available option or even possible at times but I am trying my best to structure my life so that I can be in a sunnier environment at some point in the winter.  In January of 2010 I went on a Mexican Cruise (I felt so much better after spending a week in the sunshine) and this year I am planning to go to a conference in California at the end of February. 

5. Do some research:

There are lots of good resources out there.  The best resource that I found was this book: Winter Blues: Everything You Need to Know to Beat Seasonal Affective Disorder. This book has been extremely helpful for me.

Do you struggle with the "Winter Blues"?  What do you do to beat the "Winter Blues"?

***** This post is part of the blog carnival on the word "Winter" that is taking place over at Peter Pollock's blog.  Go and check out what the other participants wrote!

REMEMBER: The "Plan B" book club starts tomorrow.  We will be reviewing chapter one: "Reality."  I will have the Simply linked widget up by 9:30 am PST.  I look forward to reading your thoughts!

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